You’ve gotten your patio just how you want it, the furniture is perfect, and the exterior cushions you selected go great with the other décor. Your pool or garden look great, but there’s still one thing missing – the lights!
What good is having an outdoor oasis if you can’t enjoy it on a warm summer night? With so many nice features – fireplace structure, grill options, brick layout, etc. – to focus on, some outdoor lovers don’t think about the lighting that is going to enhance their backyard area.
Hardscape lighting can be tricky, so it may be a good idea to go ahead and call the pros for help. However, there are also a few tips here to help you get started.
Highlight the Garden
While it may be dark outside, it doesn’t mean that you should not be able to show off your garden. A great way to do this is by using canopy lights. These lights usually sit on an 18 to 24-inch post and can add an appealing decorative element to the space. You can opt for low voltage lights, which are simple to install, and bury the cables under the ground.
Highlight Hardscape Features
The garden isn’t the only thing that looks great and deserves to get some attention. Why not highlight the patio? For hardscape lighting, spotlights are extremely useful. These use several lighting techniques, including uplighting and highlighting. Highlighting is often used for illuminating trees and by placing spotlights close to the base. With uplighting, involves putting spotlights near the base of a fixture, such as a fountain, patio, fireplace, etc.) and create a welcoming yet dramatic effect.
Light Your Pathways
Lighting up your pathways and walkways is an aesthetic and practical way to enhance your hardscape fixtures. What’s even more appealing about path lighting is that there are countless options and styles to choose from.
For example, you can create a medieval look by using lanterns or create a beach paradise by using tiki torches. Regardless of the style you want to use, consider the mood you are trying to create and then choose a variety of lighting options. Make sure to avoid placing the pathway lights too close together, as this can create an unappealing runway effect.
Lighting Up the Night
When it comes to using light in your backyard or outside area, there are more than a few things to think about. Each of the factors here can help ensure you get the desired results and that your space looks amazing during the day and at night.
If you need help with your hardscape lighting design, contact our team at The IDL Company. We can help you come up with the perfect lighting design, regardless of the size of your yard or elements you have in place.
